to the whole Court aforesaid That he nor they shall nor will needlesly or unjustly raise any quarrels or do any wrong to other Natives to provoke them to War against him and That he nor they shall not Give Sell or Convey any of his or their Lands Territories or Possessions whatsoever to any person or persons whomsoever without the privity and consent of the Government of Plimouth aforesaid other then to such as the said Government shall send or appoint All which Conditions the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son for themselves and their Successors did then faithfully promise to observe and keep And the whole Court in the Name of the whole Government for each Town respectively did then likewise Ratifie and Confirm the aforesaid ancient League and Confederacy and did also further promise to the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son and their Successors That they shall and will from time to time defend the said Woosamequen Of this see pag. 24. and Mooanam his Son and their Successors when need and occasion shall require against all such as shall unjustly rise up against them to wrong or oppress them unjustly 1640. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth were Elected Assistants Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. John Brown Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly and Mr. Edmond Freeman 1641. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown and Mr. Edmond Freeman 1642. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. William Thomas and Mr. Edmond Freeman In reference unto the three years last specified although I have no special Providence to take notice of particularly to assign to each of them save the continuance of Gods mercy and goodness in the Annual Election of godly and able Magistrates in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth as is before-noted yet notwithstanding we are to take notice of the continued Peace and Plenty with which not onely these three years restrictively considered but also for many years together both before and after them New-England was so marvellously gratiated But that which is more that about these times the Lord was pleased of his great goodness richly to accomplish and adorn the Colony of Plimouth as well as other Colonies in New-England with a considerable number of godly and able Gospel-Preachers who then being dispersed and disposed of to the several Churches and Congregations thereof gave Light in a glorious and resplendent manner as burning and shining Lights Which mercy and transcendent favour had not Sin and Satans envy interposed might have rendred them greatly happy and prosperous it being observed That where Gospel-dispensation flourisheth there Prosperity in other respects may usually be expected In reference unto the honour of God and due respects unto such worthy Instruments I thought meet to nominate some of the speciallest of them viz. Mr. Charles Chauncy Mr. William Hook Mr. Nicholas Street Mr. John Laythrop Mr. John Mayo Mr. John Reyner Mr. Ralph Partridge Mr. Samuel Newman Mr. William Leverich Mr. Richard Blinman Mr. Edward Bulkly Mr. John Miller Mr. Marmaduke Matthews With some others that might be named These some of them stayed not long ere they removed some into the Neighbour-Colonies some into Old-England and others to their Eternal Rest whereby the said Jurisdiction was wanting in a great measure for some time of such a Blessing Howbeit the Lord hath since graciously raised up a supply to divers of the said Congregations and more may be expected according to his Promises 1643. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And were chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. Edmond Freeman And Mr. William Thomas This Year about the eighteenth day of April died Mr. William Brewster the Ruling Elder of the Church of Christ at Plimouth concerning whom I could say much of mine own knowledge but I shall content my self only to insert the honourable Testimony that Mr. William Bradford deceased hath left written with his own hand concerning him Saith he My dear Friend Mr. William Brewster was a man that had done and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the Gospels sake and hath born his part in weal and woe with this poor persecuted Church above thirty six years in England Holland and in this Wilderness and done the Lord and them faithful service in his place and calling and notwithstanding the many troubles and sorrows he passed through the Lord upheld him to a great age he was four score and four years of age when he died The dea h of Mr. William Brewster he had this blessing added by the Lord to all the rest to dye in his bed in peace amongst the midst of his friends who mourned and wept over him and ministred what help and comfort they could unto him and he again recompensed them whiles he could his sickness was not long and until the last day thereof he did not wholly keep his bed his speech continued until somewhat more then half a day before his death and then failed him and about nine or ten of the clock that evening he died without any pangs at all a few hours before he drew his breath short and some few minutes before his last he drew his breath long as a man fallen into a sound sleep without any pangs or gasping and so sweetly departed this life unto a better I would now demand of any What he was the worse for former sufferings what do I say worse no he was the better and they now added to his honor 2 Thess 1.5 6 7. It is a manifest token saith the Apostle of the righteous Judgement of God that we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which we also suffer seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 1 Pet. 4.14 and if you be reproached saith the Apostle Peter for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of God and of Glory shall rest upon you what though he wanted the riches and pleasures of the World in this life and Pompous monuments of his Funeral yet the memorial of the Just shall be blessed Prov. 10.17 when the name of the wicked shall rot with their Marble Monuments He was well educated in learning as at inferiour Schools so also at the Vniversity and from thence went to the Court and there served Mr. Davison a
your selves as being as much our Subject and living under the same obedience under us as if you continued in your natural Country And so We bid you farewell Given at Our Court at Whitehall April 23. 1664. in the Sixteenth Year of Our Reign By His Majesties special Command HENRY BENET After the said His Majesties Commissioners had visited several of the Jurisdictions of new-New-England and were courteously entertained in every of them the said honourable Colonel Richard Nicolls is setled at new-New-York for the present being Governour there as is before-noted George Cartwright Esq went for England in the latter end of the year with Mr. Benjamin Gillam The said Sir Robert Carre since that went for England in the year 67. He arrived at Bristol and died there June 1. the next day after he came ashore About that time it was thought by such as were judicious That through the Instigation of the said Maverick whose spirit was full of Malignity against the Country our both Civil and Religions Liberties were much endangered and the rather for that probably there would have been a Concurrence of divers Ill-affected in the Land had not the Lord prevented and was taken by the Dutch and afterwards with some difficulty arrived in England Sir Robert Carre is at the present at Delaware and Mr. Samuel Maverick at Boston 1665. THis year Mr. Thomas Prince was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Major Josias Winslow Capt. Thomas Southworth Capt. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley Mr. James Brown In the Spring of this Year that honourable Gentleman Mr. John Endicot Governour of the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets changed this life for a better He was a very virtuous Gentleman and was greatly honoured and loved of the most as he well deserved He arrived at Salem in the year 1628 and had the chief Command of those that at the first there seated and bare a deep share of the Difficulties of those first beginnings which were great by reason especially of the great Sickness and Mortality that was then amongst them as hath been before-noted There he continued untill the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets saw reason to desire his removal to Boston for the more convenient Administration of Justice as Governour of the said Jurisdiction to which he was frequently Elected for many years together with little intermission and in which honourable Service he served God and the Country untill old Age and the Infirmities thereof coming upon him he fell asleep in the Lord and was with great honour and solemnity Interred at Boston This year it pleased God to cause a sad dispensation of his hand to pass before us in reference to the sudden death of Captain Davenport who in the Moneth of July was slain as he lay on his Bed with a blow of Thunder and Lightning He was a man of some Eminency being betrusted with the Command of the Castle in the Massachusets at which said Castle he was slain as aforesaid The more ought this so sad stroke of God to be considered and laid to heart and improved for our humiliation and the amendment of our lives before the great and terrible God who so aloud spake unto us in this so sad and awing a Providence This year it pleased the Lord again to strike the Wheat of this Country in a more general way then the last year with Blasting and Mildew whereby the greatest part of it was spoiled and the Plowmans hopes in that respect very much frustrated Howbeit the Lord still mixed with this affliction very much mercy in sparing the other Grain whereby the Country was in some good measure supplied 1666. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. John Alden Major Josias Winslow Capt. Thomas Southworth Capt. William Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinckley Mr. James Brown Lieut. John Freeman This year it pleased God to go on in a manifestation of his displeasure against New-England in a very remarkable manner by striking dead in a moment by a blow of Thunder three persons in the Town of Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth in the moneth of June viz. one named William Shirtliff and a Woman and a Youth which sad Dispensation of Gods hand being considered with some Circumstances gave cause to the beholders to be much astonished the said Shirtliff having his Wife by the hand and sitting by her to chear her in respect that the said storm was so fierce he was slain and she preserved though in some measure scorched with the Lightning yea he had one of his Children in his arms and himself slain and the Childe preserved We have likewise received intelligence of four more that about that time were slain by Thunder and Lightning about Pascataqua and divers more hurt At the time of this storm of Thunder and Lightning in the which those of Marshfield died there arose likewise a very great Whirlwind that where it came it tore up Trees by the Roots though through mercy it did little other hurt It was a great while and many years spent since the English came into these parts before any very considerable hurt was done by Thunder and Lightning to either man or beast appertaining to them although sometimes very fierce storms of that kinde as frequently as in these times but now how doth the Lord go on gradually in this as in other Judgements here in New-England first by striking Cattel and then one person at a time and this year divers to the number of seven besides some Cattel also Thus God thundereth marvellously with his voice Job 37.5 38.35 40.8 he worketh great things which we know not He can send the Lightnings that they may walk and say Lo here we are Hath any an arm like God or can any thunder with a voice like him Psal 29 5 7. By this his terrible Voice he breaketh the Cedars and divideth the flames of fire which he commissionates to do his pleasure sometimes not onely striking Cedars but great Oaks in a wonderful manner sometimes Beasts sometimes Men and Women If Gods Judgements have thus been abroad in the Earth Isaiah 26.9 how ought the Inhabitants of New-England to learn righteousness How easily can the Lord stain the pride of our glory with a stroke of his hand Let not the familiarness or frequency of such Providences cause them to be neglected by us to improve them as God would have us to fear before him Eccles 8.13 and to turn from such iniquities especially as are most displeasing unto him and to hold our lives in our hands and to be in a readiness for his pleasure lest knowing not our time Eccles 9.12 as the fishes that are taken in an evil net and as the birds that are caught in the snare so we shall be snared in an evil time when
Winslow arrived at Plimouth in New-England having bin imployed as agent for that Plantation on sundry occasions with the Merchant Adventurers in England who brought a considerable supply with him the ship being bound on a fishing voyage and with him came Mr. John Lyford a Minister which was sent over by some of the Adventurers There came over likewise in this ship three Heifers and a Bull Toe first Neat Cattel that came to N.E. which was the first Neat Cattel that came into New-England The aforesaid John Lyford when he came first on shore saluted them of the Plantation of Plimouth with that reverence and humility as is seldome to be seen and indeed made them ashamed he so bowed and cringed unto them and would have kissed their hands if they would have suffered him yea he wept and shed many tears blessing God that had brought him to see their faces and admiring the things they had done in their wants as if he had been made all of love and the humblest person in the World but in the end proved more like those mentioned by the Psalmist Psal 10.10 that crouched and bowed that heaps of the poor may fall by them or like unto dissembling Ishmael who when he had slain Gedaliah Jer. 41.6 went out weeping and met those that were coming to offer Incense in the house of the Lord saying Come to Gedaliah when he meant to slay them They gave him the best entertainment they could in all simplicity and as their Governour had used in all weighty affairs to consult with their Elder Mr. Brewster together with his Assistants so now he called Mr. Lyford also on such like occasions after some short time he desired to joyn himself a member to their Church and was accordingly received he made a large confession of his Faith and an acknowledgement of his former disorderly walking and his being intangled with many Corruptions which had bin a burden to his Conscience and blessed God for this oportunity of freedome and liberty with many more such like expressions in some short time he fell into acquaintance with Mr. John Oldham who was a copartner with him in his after courses not long after both Oldham and he grew very perverse and shewed a spirit of great malignancy drawing as many into a faction as they could were they never so vile or prophane they did nourish and abet them in all their doings so they would but cleave to them and speak against the Church so as there was nothing but private meetings and whisperings amongst them they feeding themselves and others with what they should bring to pass in England by the faction of their * That is some of the Adventurers who proved in the issue Adversaries to the Plantation friends there which brought others as well as themselves into a fools Paradice yet they could not carry so closely but both much of their doings and sayings were discovered although outwardly they set a fair face of things At length when the Ship he came in was ready to return for England and it was observed that Lyford was long in writing and sent many Letters and could not forbear to communicate to his Intimates such things as made them laugh in their sleeves and thought he had done their errand sufficiently The Governour and some of his friends knowing how things stood in reference to some known adversaries in England and what hurt these things might do took a boat and went out with the ship a league or two to sea and called for all Lyfords and Oldhams Letters Mr. William Pierce being Master of the ship and knew well their evil dealings both in England and here afforded them all the assistance he could he found about twenty of Lyfords Letters many of them large and full of slanders and false accusations tending not only to their prejudice but ruine and utter subversion most of them they let pass only took copies of them but some of the most material they sent true copies of them and kept the originals lest he should deny them and that they might produce his own hand against him amongst these Letters they found the copies of two Letters which were sent in a Letter of his to Mr. John Pemberton a Minister and a great opposite to the Plantation these two Letters of which he took the copies were the one of them writen by a Gentleman in England to Mr. Brewster here the other by Mr. Winslow to Mr. Robinson in Holland at his coming away as the ship lay at Gravesend they lying sealed in the great Cabbin whiles Mr. Winslow was busie about the affaires of the ship this sly Merchant opens them takes copies of them and seals them up again and not only seals the copies of them thus To his Friend and their Adversary but addes thereto in the Margent many scurrilous and flouting Annotations In the evening the Governour returned and they were somewhat blank at it but after some weeks when they heard nothing they then were as brisk as ever thinking nothing had been known but all was gone currant and that the Governour went out but to dispatch his own Letters The reason why the Governour and the rest concealed these things was to let things ripen that they might the better discover their intents and see who were their adherents because among the rest they found a Letter of one of their confederates in which was written that Mr. Oldham and Mr. Lyford intended a reformation in Church and Common-wealth and as soon as the ship was gone they intended to joyn together and have the Sacrament few of Oldhams Letters were found in the aforesaid search being so bad a Scribe as his hand was scarce legible yet he was as deep in the mischief as the other and thinking they were now strong enough they began to pick quarrels at every thing Oldham being called to watch according to order refuseth to come fell out with the Captain called him Rascall and beggarly Rascall and resisted him and drew his knife at him though he offered him no wrong nor gave him any ill terms but with all fairness required him to do his duty the Governour hearing the tumult sent to quiet it but he ranted with great fury and called them all Traitors but being committed to Prison after a while he came to himself and with some slight punishment was let go upon his behaviour for further Censure but to cut things short at length it grew to this issue that Lyford with his accomplices without either speaking one word either to the Governour Church or Elder withdrew themselves and set up a publick meeting apart on the Lords-day with sundry such insolent carriages too long here to relate beginning more publickly to act that which they had been long plotting It was now thought high time to prevent further mischief to call them to account so the Governour called a Court and summoned the whole company togher and they charged Lyford and Oldham with
such things as they were guilty of respecting the premises but they were stiff and stood resolutely upon the denial of most things and required proof they first alledged what was writ compared with their practises here that it was evident they joyned in plotting against them and disturbed their peace in their Civil and Church-state which was most injurious for both they and all the world knew they came hither to enjoy the liberty of their Consciences in the free use of Gods Ordinances and for that end had ventured their lives and passed through so much hardship hitherto and they and their friends had born the charge of these beginnings which was not small and that he viz. Lyford for his part was sent over on this charge and both he and his great family was maintained on the same and for him to plot against them and seek their ruine was most unjust and perfideous But Lyford denied and made strange of sundry things laid to his charge Then his Letters were produced at which he was struck mute Oldham began to be furious and to rage because they had intercepted their Letters provoked the people to Mutiny in such words as these My Masters where are your hearts now shew your courage you have often complained to me so and so now is the time if you will do any thing I will stand by you c. thinking that every one knowing his humour that had fooled or flattered him or otherwise or that in their Discontent uttered any thing unto him would now side with him in open Rebellion But he was deceived for not a man opened his mouth all were silent Then the Governour took pains in Convicting Lyford of his Hypocrisie and Treachery in abusing his friends in taking Copies of their Letters in an under-hand way and sending them abroad to their disgrace c. and produced them and his own Letters under his own Hand which he could not deny and caused them to be read before all the people at which all his Confedrates were blank and had not a word to say But after awhile he began to say That sundry had made some Complaints unto him and informed him of divers things which being there present and the particulars named to them they denied Then they dealt with him about his Dissembling in the Church and that he professed to concur with them in all things and what a large Confession he had made at his admittance and that he held not himself a Minister till he had a new Calling c. and yet now he contested against them and drew a Company apart and sequestred himself and would go about to administer the Sacraments by his former Calling without ever acquainting them with it In conclusion he was fully convicted and burst out into tears and confest be feared he was a Reprobate his sins were so great that he doubted that God would not pardon them he was unsavoury salt c. and that he had so wronged them as he could never make them amends confessing all he had written against them was false and naught both for matter and manner And all this he did with as much fulness as words and tears could express After their Trial and Conviction the Court sentenced them to be expelled the Plantation John Oldham presently to depart though his Wife and Family had liberty to stay all Winter or longer untill he could make provision to remove them comfortably Lyford had liberty to stay six Months it was with some eye to his release if he carried himself well in the mean time and that his Repentance proved sound Lyford acknowledged his Censure was farre less then he deserved and afterwards he confessed his sin publickly in the Church with tears more largely then before I shall here relate it as I finde it penned by some who took it from his own mouth as himself uttered it Acknowledging That he had done very evil and slanderously abused them and thinking most of the people would take part with him he thought to have carried all by violence and strong hand against them and that God might justly lay innocent blood to his charge for he knew not what hurt might have come by these his Writings and blessed God that they were stayed and that he spared not to take knowledge from any of any evil that was spoken but shut his eyes and ears against all the good and that if God should make him a Vagabond in the earth as was Cain it was but just and he confessed three things to be the causes of this his doings Pride Vain-glory and Self-love amplifying these Heads with many other expressions in the particulars of them so as they began to conceive good thoughts of him upon his Repentance and admitted him to teach amongst them as before yea sundry tender-hearted persons amongst them were so taken with his signs of Sorrow and Repentance as they professed they would fall upon their knees to have his Censure remitted and released But that which made them all stand amazed in the end and may do all others that shall come to hear the same for a rarer president can scarcely be named was that after two Months time all his former Confessions Convictions and publick Acknowledgements both in the presence of God and his Church and the whole Company with so many Tears and sad censures of himself he should go again to justifie what he had done for secretly he wrote a second Letter to the Adventurers in England in which he justified all his former Writings The Copy of this Letter is extant but too large to be here inserted save in some things which tended to their damage 1625. AT the time of their Election Court John Oldham came again amongst them and though it was a part of his Censure for his former Mutiny Not to return without leave first obtained yet he presumed without leave at all to come being set on and hardened by the ill counsel of others and not onely so but suffered his unruly passion to run beyond the bounds and limits of all Reason and Modesty insomuch that some strangers that were with him were ashamed of his outrage and rebuked him but all Reproofs were but as Oyl to the fire and made the flame of his choller the greater He called them all to naught in his fury an hundred Rebels and Traytors but in conclusion they Committed him untill he was tamer and then appointed a Guard of Musketeers which he was to pass thorow and every one was ordered to give him a blow on his Hinder-parts with the Butt-end of his Musket and then he was conveyed to the Water-side where a Boat was ready to carry him away with this Farewell Go and mend your Manners After the removal of his Family he fell into some straights and about a year after intended a Voyage to Virginia and so it pleased God that himself and sundry passengers being in the Barque they were in great danger so as they despaired
soul to God-ward the benefit thereof those can best experience who are most conversant in the improving of them and have Gods blessing on them therein to their souls good His body was honourably buried at Cambridge in New-England Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord for their works follow them Rev. 13.13 This Year there passed an Act of Parliament in England for the promoting and propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New-England in reference unto the furtherance and advancement of so good a work a Corporation of sixteen Select men were appointed consisting of a President Treasurer and Assistants called by the name of the President and Society for the propagation of the Gospel in New-England to receive such sums of money as from time to time was or should be collected and raised by the liberal contributions of such as whose hearts God was pleased to stir up to so glorious a work and it was by the same Parliament Enacted that the Commissioners for the United Colonies of New-England for the time being by themselves or such as they shall appoint shall have Power and Authority to receive and dispose of the said monies brought in paid to the said Treasurer for the time being or any other Monies Goods or Commodities acquired and delivered by the care of the said Corporation at any time whose receipt or receipts of such Person or Persons so Authorized by them shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Corporation and Treasurer The particulars of such Orders and Instructions with which the said Act is invested the Reader may be more amply satisfied in by the perusal thereof as it is extant bearing date July 27. 1649. Moreover let the Reader take notice of the special favour of Almighty God in moving the heart of the Kings Majesty since his Restitution to his Crown and Regal Dignity particularly of his Royal Favour to countenance this work and to secure what hath been and what may be given toward this work by a legal settlement which before was wanting so as the said glorious design hath been vigorously carried on both in Old England and in New by such active and faithful Instruments as God hath raised up and improved therein with some considerable success The work coming on to such perfection as that the Holy Bible is Translated and Printed in the Indian Language whereby the glad tidings of the Gospel is and may be communicated to them with the greater facility some souls also of them being gained as may be hoped to believe on the Lord Jesus for life everlasting and daily hopes of further and greater success in that behalf for which unspeakable riches of his grace let his Holy Name have all the praise throughout all ages The Principal Instruments improved in Preaching the Gospel of Christ unto the Indians are Mr. John Eliot Senior Mr. John Eliot Junior Mr. Thomas Mayhew Mr. Pierson Mr. Brown Mr. James Mr. Cotton Besides divers of their own Nation whose Names and number I know not 1650. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown and Mr. William Thomas This Year there was more then ordinary mortality in the Country especially about Boston and mostly amongst their Children since which time New diseases the fruits of new sins several diseases have been in the Country more frequently then formerly as namely gripings in the bowels with violent Vomiting and Purging which hath taken away many as also a disease in the Mouth or Throat which hath proved mortal to some in a very short time as also great distempers of Colds c. which ought to be awakening dispensations together with others to cause us to consider and examine whether we have not provoked the Lord with some general and unwonted sins inasmuch as he is pleased to exercise the Country oft-times with unwonted afflictions and punishments 1651. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet This Year Mr. William Thomas expired his natural life in much peace and comfort he served in the place of Magistracy in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth divers Years Mr. William Thomas his death he was a well approved and a well grounded Christian well read in the Holy Scriptures and other approved Authors and a good lover and approver of Godly Ministers and good Christians and one that had a sincere desire to promote the common good both of Church and State He died of a Consumption and was honourably buried at Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth 1652. THis year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And Were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Capt. Myles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Lieut. Thomas Southworth This Year that blessed Servant of God Mr. John Cotton died Of Mr. Cottons Life Mr. Norton hath Penned a Book whereunto I refer the Reader for more full relation of the same he was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word at Boston in Lincolnshire and from thence came over into New-England in the Year 1633 and was chosen Teacher of the first Church of Christ at Boston for which Function and Office he was greatly enriched with gifts abilities being an able expounder and faithful applier of the Word of God furnished also with wisdom and prudence to go before the Church in the ordering of the affairs thereof endowed also with meekness of spirit whereby he was fitted to compose such differences as did at any time arise amongst them he was very patient also in respect unto personal wrongs or injuries done unto himself yea towards his sharpest Antagonists An influence of good not only flowed from him unto the Church over whom he was set but also into all the Churches in New-England as necessity required A Comet seen at the time of Mr. Cottons sickness and went out soon after his death About the time of his sickness there appeared in the Heavens over New-England a Comet giving a dim light and so waxed dimmer and dimmer until it became quite extinct and went out which time of its being extinct was soon after the time of the period of his life it being a very signal testimony that God had then removed a bright Star a burning and shining light out of the heaven of his Church here unto Coelestial glory above He was buried at Boston in New-England with great Honour and Lamentation in the Year above written Upon whose never enough deplored death were made these Verses following A Funeral Elegie upon the death of the truely Reverend Mr. John Cotton late
Trading with the Indians of Kenebek p. 61 Capt. Miles Standish goes over to England as an Agent in the behalf of the Plantation of New-Plimouth p. 62 1626. In April Capt. Standish arrives in Plimouth brings sad tidings of Mr. John Robinsons and Mr. Robert Cushmans death p. 63 They receive divers Letters from their friends in Holland p. 64 1627. Mr. Isaac Allerton goes over for England Agent for the Plantation with the Merchant-Adventurers p. 64. The first distribution of Land amongst the Inhabitants of Plimouth p. 65 A ship with many Passengers in her bound for Virginia was cast away at the middle of Mannamoiet Bay but they saved their lives and their goods and were courteously entertained at Plimouth p. 65 c. The Dutch Plantation desire Commerce with Plimouth which they grant them and so they held mutual and profitable correspondency together The Dutch acquaint the English with the trading of Wampam-peag p. 67 1628. Morton for his Atheistical and licentious Practises is apprehended by Capt. Standish sent home to England p. 68 c. Mr. John Endicot arrives bringing with him a Patent under the Broad-Seal of England for the Government of the Massachusets p. 70 1629. Three ships arrive at Salem bringing a great number of Passengers from England Infectious diseases amongst them p. 73 Mr. Higginson Mr. Skelton Mr. Bright Ministers arrive p. 74 Upon Aug. 5. was the first Church in the Massachusets Colony gathered viz. at Salem p. 75 The Book of Common-Prayer pleaded for and practised in Massachusets Colony by two of the Patentees p. 76 But was quickly prohibited by the Authority there p. 77 1630. Mr. Higginson Teacher of Salem Church died p. 78 A Fleet of ten ships arrived in the Massachusets Colony in which came over many worthy Instruments Mr. John Winthrop and Mr. Thomas Dudly Magistrates Mr. Isaac Johnson Esq and Mr. John VVilson Mr. George Philips Mr. Maverick and Mr. VVareham Ministers arrived Mr. Isaac Johnson Magistrate of the Massachusets and his Lady soon after their arrival died p. 83 Churches gathered this year at Boston by Mr. John VVilson VVatertown by Mr. Philips Dorchester by Mr. Maverick and Mr. VVareham p. 84 1631. A Church gathered at Roxbury by Mr. John Eliot and Mr. VVeld p. 85 1632. Sir Christopher Gardiner a strong Papist arrived in N.E. who for some miscarriages left the Country and returned home to England and there proved an open Adversary to the Country p. 85 86 The Lords of the Kings most honourable Privy-Council favour the Plantations of N.E. by their encouraging Order p. 87 88 1633. The number of Magistrates at Plimouth increased to seven p. 89 An infectious Feaver amongst the Inhabitants of Plimouth whereof many died p. 90 Great swarms of strange Flies up and down the Country which was a presage of the following mortality p. 91 Mr. John Cotton Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone Ministers arrive in N. E. ibid. Mr. William Collier a liberal Benefactor to the Colony of New-Plimouth arrives in N.E. ibid. 1634. Mr. Skelton Pastor to the Church at Salem died p. 78 A great mortality amongst the Indians by the Small Pox p. 92 Capt. Stone turns Pirat at the Dutch Plantation and there seizes on a Plimouth Barque that was there trading p. 93 The cruel Massacre of Capt. Stone and Capt. Norton at Connecticot River by the Pequot Indians p. 92 93 Mr. Roger Williams lamentable Apostacy p. 78 c. He is Banished by the Massachusets Colony ibid. 1635. Mr. Edward Winslow sent over to England as a publick Agent for the Country p. 94 An Hirracane which did great damage both by sea land p. 95 1636. Conecticot Colony planted this year by many worthy Instruments Two shallops loaden with goods were cast away in the mouth of Plimouth Harbour the goods were saved ten men drowned p. 96 Mr. John Oldham murthered in his Barque by the Indians of Block-Island p. 98 1637. The Pequot Wars in which War the English slew and took Prisoners about 700 Indians and slew 13 Sachems to the great terrour of all the Natives p. 99 New-Haven Colony began this year p. 106 Antinomian and Familistical Errours are broach'd in the Country especially at Boston ibid. A Synod is called which condemned these Errours out of the Word of God p. 107 Mrs. Hutchinson and Errours are banished by the Magistrates of the Massachusets Colony ibid. A hideous Monster born at Boston of one Mrs. Mary Dyer p. 108 1638. Three English-men were put to death at Plimouth for robbing and murthering an Indian near Providence p. 111 June 2. a great and fearful Earthquake in the Country ibid. Gorton a pestilent Seducer and blasphemous Atheist is banished Plimouth Colony Whipt and banished from Road-Island banished the Massachusets Colony p. 108 c. 1639. Harvard Colledge founded at Cambridge by Mr. John Harvard of worthy memory p. 112 Articles of Peace renewed with Massasoiâ—t Sachem and his Son Mooanam by the Government of Plimouth p. 112 c. 1642. Thirteen able godly Ministers at this time in Plimouth Jurisdiction shined as bright Stars in the Churches Firmament p. 116 1643. Mr. William Brewster Ruling-Elder in the Church of Plimouth died in the 84 year of his Age p. 117 May 19. was the first Combination of the four United Colonies of N.E. p. 120 1644. Mr. John Atwood an eminent Benefactor to the Colony of Plimouth died p. 121 The Town of Eastham erected by divers considerable persons of Plimouth ibid. 1646. Three men of War arrived in Plimouth Harbour under the command of Capt. Tho Cromwel richly laden A mutiny amongst the Seamen whereby one man is killed p. 123 Mr. Edw Winslow goes over into England Agent for the Massachusets Colony to answer the complaints of sundry discontented persons but returned no more to N. E. p. 124 1647. Mr. Thomas Hooker Pastor of the Church at Hartford rested from his labours p. 125 1649. March 26. Mr. John Winthrop Governour of the Massachusets deceased p. 130 An innumerable company of Caterpillers in some parts of the Country destroyed the Fruits of the Earth p. 131 August 25. Mr. Thomas Shepard Pastor of Cambridge Church died ibid. An Act of Parliament passed in England for promoting and propagating the Gospel amongst the Indians in N.E. In reference to which an Indian Corporation was there established Able Instruments encouraged to preach the Gospel to the Indians in N.E. the Bible was translated into the Indian Language by Mr. John Eliot and in 1664. was printed at Cambridge p. 131 1650. A great mortality amongst Children this year p. 133 1651. Mr. Wil Thomas Magistrate of Plimouth Colony died p. 134 1652. Mr. John Cotton Teacher of Boston Church died A Comet was seen at the time of his sickness hanging over N. E. which went out soon after his death p. 135 c. 1653. July 31. Mr. Thomas Dudly Governour of the Massachusets died about the 77 year of his Age p. 139 1655. Plimouth hears sad news of the death of Mr. Edward Winslow who had sometimes been their Governour p. 142 1656. Capt. Miles Standish Magistrate of Plimouth died p. 143 1657. May 3. Mr. William Bradford Governor of Plimouth died p. 144 The Quakers that cursed Sect arrive at Plimouth p. 151 Mr. Theoph Eaton Governor of Newhaven Colony died p. 152 Mr. Garret cast away in his Voyage from Boston to England which was a great loss to the Country p. 152 1658. A great Earthquake was heard in N. E. p. 153 Mr. Ralph Partridge Minister at Duxbury deceased ibid. John Philips of Marshfield slain by Thunder Lightning p. 155 Mr. William Paddy Deacon of Plimouth Church died ibid. 1659. The damnable Opinions of the Quakers are vented up and down the Country p. 157 Mr. Henry Dunster first President of Harvard Colledge deceased p. 158 1660. James Pierce slain by Lightning at Plimouth p. 159 1662. In January several Earthquakes were heard in N. E. p. 161 Philip Sachem of Pokanaket renews the Articles of Peace made betwixt the Government of Plimouth and his Father Brother p. 160 Mr. John Brown Magistrate of Plimouth Colony ended this life p. 163 164 1663. Mr. Samuel Newman Teacher of Rehoboth died p. 164 Mr. John Norton Teacher of Boston died suddenly p. 165 Mr. Samuel Stone Teacher of Hartford deceased p. 168 1664. A great and dreadful Comet appeared in new-New-England for the space of three moneths which was accompanied with many sad Effects p. 170 Great mildew and blasting in the Country p. 172 The Kings Commissioners arrived at Boston in N. E. p. 173 Manado's surrendred up to His Majesty and called new-New-York p. 173 Colonel Cartwright on his Voyage to England was taken by the Dutch Sir Robert Carre died the next day after his arrival in Bristol p. 176 1665. Mr. John Endicot Governour of the Massachusets died p. 176 Capt. Davenport killed with Lightning as he lay on his Bed at the Castle p. 177 Wheat exceedingly blasted and mildewed ibid. 1666. Three killed in a moment by a blow of Thunder at Marshfield and four at Piscataqua and divers hurt A great Whirlwind at the same time p. 178 The Small Pox at Boston p. 179 The mildew and blasting of the Corn still continued ibid. A remarkable manifestation of Gods goodness to some poor Salvages in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth p. 180 The death of Mr. William Thompson Minister at Braintry 181 1667. Several Vollies of shot heard discharged in the Air at Nantasket In March there appeared a Sign in the Heavens in the form of a Spear pointing directly to the West p. 182 Mr. John Wilson who had been Pastor of Boston Church 37 years rested from his labours in the 79 year of his Age p. 183 1668. Mr. Samuel Shepard Pastor of Rowley Church died p. 190 April 27. Mr. Henry Flint Teacher at Braintry died ibid. July 9. Mr. Jonathan Mitchel Pastor of the Church at Cambridge deceased p. 190 c. October 13. Mr. John Eliot junior Pastor of a Church within the Bounds of Cambridge departed this life p. 196 197 The Conclusion of the History with Advice to the Rising generation p. 197 198 FINIS
Teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in new-New-England ANd after Winthrop's Hooker's Shepard's Hâ—rse Doth Cotton's death call for a mourning Verse Thy will be done yet Lord who dealest thus Make this great death expedient for us Luther pull'd down the Pope Calvin the Prelate slue Of Calvin's Lapse chief cure to Cotton's due Cotton whose Learning Temper Godliness The German Phoenix lively did express Melancthon's all may Luthers word but pass Melancthons all in our great Cotton was Then him in flesh scarce dwelt a better one So great 's our loss when such a Spirit 's gone Whil'st He was here Life was more Life to me Now He is not Death hence less Death shall be That Comets great Mens deaths do oft forego This present Comet doth too sadly show This Prophet dead yet must in 's Doctrine speak This Comet saith else must New-England break VVhat ere it be the Heavens avert it far That Meteors should succeed our greatest Star In Bostons Orb Winthrop and Cotton were These Lights extinct dark is our Hemisphere In Boston once how much shin'd of our glory We now lament Posterity will story Let Boston live who had and saw their worth And did them Honour both in life and death To him New-England trust in this distress Who will not leave his exiles comfortless J. N. Upon the TOMB of the most Reverend Mr. John Cotton late Teacher of the Church of Boston in New-England HEre lies magnanimous Humility Majesty Meckness Christian Apathy On soft Affections Liberty in thrall A Noble Spirit Servant unto all Learnings great Master-piece who yet would sit As a Disciple at his Schollars feet A simple Serpent or Serpentine Dove Made up of Wisdome Innocence and Love Neatness Embroider'd with it self alone And Civils Canonized in a Gown Embracing old and young and low and high Ethicks imbodyed in Divinity Ambitious to be lowest and to raise His Brethrens Honour on his own Decayes Thus doth the Sun retire into his bed That being gone the Stars may shew their head Could wound at Argument without Division Cut to the quick and yet make no Incision Ready to Sacrifice Domestick Notions To Churches Peace and Ministers Devotions Himself indeed and singular in that Whom all admired he admired not Liv'd like an Angel of a Mortal Birth Convers'd in Heaven while he was on Earth Though not as Moses radiant with Light Whose Glory dazell'd the beholders sight Yet so divinely beautifi'd youl 'd count He had been born and bred upon the Mount A living breathing Bible Tables where Both Covenants at large engraven were Gospel and Law in 's Heart had each its Colume His Head an Index to the Sacred Volume His very Name a Title Page and next His Life a Commentary on the Text. O what a Monument of glorious worth When in a New Edition he comes forth Without Errata's may we think hee 'll be In Leaves and Covers of Eternitie A man of Might at heavenly Eloquence To fix the Ear and charm the Conscience As if Apollos were reviv'd in him Or he had learned of a Seraphim Spake many Tongues in one one Voice and Sense Wrought Joy and Sorrow Fear and Confidence Rocks rent before him Blinde receiv d their sight Souls levell'd to the dunghil stood upright Infernal Furies burst with rage to see Their Pris'ners captiv'd into Libertie A Star that in our Eastern England rose Thence hurry'd by the Blast of stupid foes Whose foggy Darkness and benummed Senses Brook'd not his daz'ling fervent Influences Thus did he move on Earth from East to West There he went down and up to Heaven for Rest Nor from himself whilest living doth he vary His Death hath made him an Ubiquitary Where is his Sepulchre is hard to tell Who in a thousand Sepulchres doth dwell Their Hearts I mean whom he hath left behind In them his Sacred Relique's now Enshrin'd But let his Mourning Flock be comforted Though Moses be yet Joshua is not dead I mean Renowned NORTON worthy hee Successor to our MOSES is to bee O happy Israel in AMERICA In such a MOSES such a JOSHUA B. W. 1653. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Lieut. Thomas Southworth Mr. Thomas Dudley who was a principal Founder and Pillar of the Colony of the Massachusets in New-England and sundry times Governour and Deputy Governour of that Jurisdiction died at his house in Roxbury July 31. in the seventy seventh Year of his age he was a person of quick understanding and solid Judgement in the fear of the Lord he was a lover of 1 Justice 2 Order 3 the People 4 Christian Religion the supream virtues of a good Magistrate 1. His love to Justice appeared at all times and in special upon the Judgement seat without respect of persons in Judgement and in his own particular transactions with all men he was exact and exemplary 2. His zeal to Order appeared in contriving good Laws and faithfully executing them upon criminal offenders Hereticks and Underminers of true Religion He had a piercing Judgement to discover the Wolf though cloathed with a sheep-skin 3. His love to the People was evident in serving them in a publick capacity many Years at his own cost and that as a nursing Father to the Churches of Christ 4. He loved the true Christian Religion and the pure Worship of God and cherished as in his bosom all godly Ministers and Christians he was exact in the practice of Piety in his person and family all his life in a word he lived desired and died lamented by all good men The Verses following were found in his Pocket after his death which may further illustrate his Character and give a taste of his poetical fancy wherein it is said he did excel DIm Eyes deaf Ears cold stomack shew My dissolution is in view Eleven times seven near liv'd have I And now God calls I willing die My Shuttle's shot my race is run My Sun is set my Deed is done My Span is measur'd Tale is told My Flower is faded and grown old My Dream is vanish'd Shadow 's fled My Soul with Christ my Body dead Farewel dear Wife Children and Friends Hate Heresie make blessed ends Bear Poverty live with good men So shall we meet with joy agen Let men of God in Courts and Churches watch O're such as do a Toleration hatch Lest that ill Egg bring forth a Cockatrice To poyson all with Heresie and Vice If men be left and otherwise combine My Epitaph's I dy'd no Libertine This Year Mr. John Laythrop did put off his Earthly Tabernacle He was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word in Egerton in Kent from whence he went to London and was chosen Pastor of a Church of Christ there he was greatly troubled imprisoned for witnessing against the errours of the times during the